January 2012 - Sandwell & West Birmingham Hospitals

SWBTB (1/12) 275 (a)
Significant training continues around
Safety briefings
SBAR
MUST
Safeguarding
Dementia
Diversity
5) Wards escalated via early warning systems
In the last report to the Trust Board I reported the following wards as being of some
concern:
N4
L3 + N3
D43
D16
The following describes the status with these wards and also identifies any additional wards
that are becoming a concern and our mitigation for this.
October 2011
N4
L3 + N3
Concerns resolved with de‐merger of ward and considerable
investment and work via nutrition, privacy and dignity and
special measures plans.
Students being re‐introduced.
CQC – fully compliant.
Staffing levels now satisfactory and standards improving. Ward
Manager recruitment for N3 in progress.
D43 Flexible beds now properly staffed. Standards are slowly
improving.
D16 Change in leadership as part of ward management
reconfiguration but continues to be a concern – see below.
January 2012
D16/D18
EAU, Sandwell
P4
L2
Both wards are under new leadership since November 2011 and
this has yet to impact. However, sickness is high and standards
although being maintained, are at risk. Therefore, a condition
report has been requested by the end of the month where a
decision regarding increased support or special measures will be
taken.
High sickness rates and activity are beginning to impact on some
standards and have generated a request for a condition report
by the end of January.
Staffing levels and patient dependency make P4 a very
challenging ward to work on. Staffing has been increased from
November and the ward has new leadership. Currently keeping
a watching brief with some additional targeted support from the
nursing division.
Targeted support and robust action plan are addressing the
concerns on this ward which were starting to indicate a risk that
standards would deteriorate – mainly around staff management
issues as opposed to direct care.
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